Toupie adds another hillside win in Las Cienegas

ARCADIA, Calif. – The Maryland-based filly Toupie seems to enjoy cross-country trip for races on Santa Anita’s hillside turf course.

After winning her first appearance on the unique track in the $102,500 Unzip Me Stakes for 3-year-old fillies in September, Toupie led throughout Sunday’s Grade 3 Las Cienegas Stakes for older fillies and mares.

Ridden by Flavien Prat, Toupie ($4) was favored in the $101,500 Las Cienegas. She ran about 6 1/2 furlongs in 1:12.97.

Toupie set a modest pace of 22.79 seconds for the opening quarter-mile and 44.72 for a half-mile, leading by at least a half-length.

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“She’s talented,” Prat said. “She has such a good way of traveling. She has good speed.”

Prat said Toupie “had a little breather” at one point on the hillside on Sunday.

“She really extended herself on the end,” he said.

Toupie finished 2 1/4 lengths clear of 21-1 Anywho, who rallied from fourth to be second in her turf debut and 12th start. Anywho finished a neck in front of a fast-closing Nadette, a 4-1 chance.

Miss Lizzy, Just Nails, Vitalera, Laulne, and Ma Rae’s Girl completed the order of finish.

Toupie, by Uncle Mo, races for Alain and Gerard Wertheimer and trainer Graham Motion. Toupie has been based in California since earlier this month, long enough for a half-mile workout on Jan. 12.

A winner of 5 of 11 starts, Toupie has earned $371,775. All of her wins have been in sprints, including two stakes on turf prior to the Unzip Me – the $120,000 Stewart Manor Stakes at six furlongs at Aqueduct in November 2023 and the $100,000 Stormy Blues Stakes at 5 1/2 furlongs at Laurel last June.

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